Murtagh's two goals lift New Fairfield to field hockey victory

Richard Gregory

Updated 10:14 pm, Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Immaculate's Sara Rizzo, 7, takes a shot on goal as New Fairfield's Jenna Joyal, 12, and goalie Sam Farrell defend during a girls field hockey game between New Fairfield High School and Immaculate High School in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, October 16, 2013.
Photo: H John Voorhees III

Immaculate's Sara Rizzo, 7, takes a shot on goal as New Fairfield's...

Immaculate's Meredith Keenan, 12, tries to move the ball upfield as New Fairfield's Nicole Hughes, 14, and Steph Nell, 3, move in. Immaculate's Amanda Loya, 11, looks on during a girls field hockey game between New Fairfield High School and Immaculate High School in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, October 16, 2013.
Photo: H John Voorhees III

New Fairfield's Lizzie Murlagh, 23, and Immaculate's Emily Burke, 1, go for the ball near Immaculate's goal during a girls field hockey game between New Fairfield High School and Immaculate High School in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, October 16, 2013.
Photo: H John Voorhees III

New Fairfield's Lizzie Murlagh, 23, and Immaculate's Emily Burke,...

New Fairfield's Nicole Hughes, 14, on left and Julia Oettinger, 13, battle Immaculate's Meredith Keenan, 12, for the ball during a 4girls field hockey game between New Fairfield High School and Immaculate High School in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, October 16, 2013.
Photo: H John Voorhees III

New Fairfield's Nicole Hughes, 14, on left and Julia Oettinger, 13,...

Immaculate's Amanda Loya, 11, and New Fairfield's Jenna Joyal, 12, during a girls field hockey game between New Fairfield High School and Immaculate High School in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, October 16, 2013.
Photo: H John Voorhees III

Immaculate's Amanda Loya, 11, and New Fairfield's Jenna Joyal, 12,...

Immaculate's Maren Brady, 32, and New Fairfield's Mary Smyth, 2, during a girls field hockey game between New Fairfield High School and Immaculate High School in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, October 16, 2013.
Photo: H John Voorhees III

Immaculate's Maren Brady, 32, and New Fairfield's Mary Smyth, 2,...

New Fairfield's Mary Smyth, 2, and Immaculate's Maren Brady, 32, during a girls field hockey game between New Fairfield High School and Immaculate High School in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, October 16, 2013.
Photo: H John Voorhees III

New Fairfield's Mary Smyth, 2, and Immaculate's Maren Brady, 32,...

Immaculate's Katie Allen, 20, moves the ball up field while New Fairfield's Nicole Hughes, 14, chases her during a girls field hockey game between New Fairfield High School and Immaculate High School in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, October 16, 2013.
Photo: H John Voorhees III

Immaculate's Katie Allen, 20, moves the ball up field while New...

New Fairfield's Jenna Joyal, 12, and Immaculate's Emma Davidson,9, during a girls field hockey game between New Fairfield High School and Immaculate High School in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, October 16, 2013.
Photo: H John Voorhees III

New Fairfield's Jenna Joyal, 12, and Immaculate's Emma Davidson,9,...

New Fairfield's Jenna Joyal, 12, and Immaculate's Emma Davidson,9, during a girls field hockey game between New Fairfield High School and Immaculate High School in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, October 16, 2013.
Photo: H John Voorhees III

New Fairfield's Jenna Joyal, 12, and Immaculate's Emma Davidson,9,...

Immaculate's Amanda Loya, 11, and New Fairfield's Jenna Joyal, 12, during a girls field hockey game between New Fairfield High School and Immaculate High School in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, October 16, 2013.
Photo: H John Voorhees III

Immaculate's Amanda Loya, 11, and New Fairfield's Jenna Joyal, 12,...

New Fairfield's Lizzie Murlagh, 23, and Immaculate's Emma Davidson, 9, during a girls field hockey game between New Fairfield High School and Immaculate High School in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, October 16, 2013.
Photo: H John Voorhees III

Immaculate's Kelly Crotty, 21, and New Fairfield's Jenna Joyal, 12, during a girls field hockey game between New Fairfield High School and Immaculate High School in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, October 16, 2013.
Photo: H John Voorhees III

Immaculate's Meredith Keenan, 12, and New Fairfield's Jenna Joyal, 12, during a girls field hockey game between New Fairfield High School and Immaculate High School in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, October 16, 2013.
Photo: H John Voorhees III

Immaculate's Meredith Keenan, 12, and New Fairfield's Jenna Joyal,...

Immaculate's Nicole Demelo, 4, and New Fairfield's Lizze Murlagh, 23, during a girls field hockey game between New Fairfield High School and Immaculate High School in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, October 16, 2013.
Photo: H John Voorhees III

Immaculate's Nicole Demelo, 4, and New Fairfield's Lizze Murlagh,...

New Fairfield's Lizzie Murlagh, 23, scored two goals in the girls field hockey game between New Fairfield High School and Immaculate High School in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, October 16, 2013.
Photo: H John Voorhees III

New Fairfield's Lizzie Murlagh, 23, scored two goals in the girls...

Game action from the SWC girls field hockey game between New Fairfield High School and Immaculate High School in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, October 16, 2013.
Photo: H John Voorhees III

Game action from the SWC girls field hockey game between New...

Game action from the SWC girls field hockey game between New Fairfield High School and Immaculate High School in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, October 16, 2013.
Photo: H John Voorhees III

Game action from the SWC girls field hockey game between New...

Game action from the SWC girls field hockey game between New Fairfield High School and Immaculate High School in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, October 16, 2013.
Photo: H John Voorhees III

Game action from the SWC girls field hockey game between New...

Game action from the SWC girls field hockey game between New Fairfield High School and Immaculate High School in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, October 16, 2013.
Photo: H John Voorhees III

Game action from the SWC girls field hockey game between New...

Game action from the SWC girls field hockey game between New Fairfield High School and Immaculate High School in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, October 16, 2013.
Photo: H John Voorhees III

Game action from the SWC girls field hockey game between New...

Game action from the SWC girls field hockey game between New Fairfield High School and Immaculate High School in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, October 16, 2013.
Photo: H John Voorhees III

Game action from the SWC girls field hockey game between New...

Game action from the SWC girls field hockey game between New Fairfield High School and Immaculate High School in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, October 16, 2013.
Photo: H John Voorhees III

Game action from the SWC girls field hockey game between New...

Game action from the SWC girls field hockey game between New Fairfield High School and Immaculate High School in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, October 16, 2013.
Photo: H John Voorhees III

Game action from the SWC girls field hockey game between New...

Game action from the SWC girls field hockey game between New Fairfield High School and Immaculate High School in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, October 16, 2013.
Photo: H John Voorhees III

Game action from the SWC girls field hockey game between New...

Game action from the SWC girls field hockey game between New Fairfield High School and Immaculate High School in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, October 16, 2013.
Photo: H John Voorhees III

Game action from the SWC girls field hockey game between New...

Game action from the SWC girls field hockey game between New Fairfield High School and Immaculate High School in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, October 16, 2013.
Photo: H John Voorhees III

Game action from the SWC girls field hockey game between New...

Game action from the SWC girls field hockey game between New Fairfield High School and Immaculate High School in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, October 16, 2013.
Photo: H John Voorhees III

Game action from the SWC girls field hockey game between New...

Game action from the SWC girls field hockey game between New Fairfield High School and Immaculate High School in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, October 16, 2013.
Photo: H John Voorhees III

Game action from the SWC girls field hockey game between New...

Game action from the SWC girls field hockey game between New Fairfield High School and Immaculate High School in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, October 16, 2013.
Photo: H John Voorhees III

Game action from the SWC girls field hockey game between New...

Game action from the SWC girls field hockey game between New Fairfield High School and Immaculate High School in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, October 16, 2013.
Photo: H John Voorhees III

Game action from the SWC girls field hockey game between New...

Game action from the SWC girls field hockey game between New Fairfield High School and Immaculate High School in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, October 16, 2013.
Photo: H John Voorhees III

Game action from the SWC girls field hockey game between New...

Game action from the SWC girls field hockey game between New Fairfield High School and Immaculate High School in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, October 16, 2013.
Photo: H John Voorhees III

Game action from the SWC girls field hockey game between New...

Game action from the SWC girls field hockey game between New Fairfield High School and Immaculate High School in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, October 16, 2013.
Photo: H John Voorhees III

Game action from the SWC girls field hockey game between New...

Game action from the SWC girls field hockey game between New Fairfield High School and Immaculate High School in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, October 16, 2013.
Photo: H John Voorhees III

Game action from the SWC girls field hockey game between New...

Game action from the SWC girls field hockey game between New Fairfield High School and Immaculate High School in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, October 16, 2013.
Photo: H John Voorhees III

Game action from the SWC girls field hockey game between New...

Game action from the SWC girls field hockey game between New Fairfield High School and Immaculate High School in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, October 16, 2013.
Photo: H John Voorhees III

Game action from the SWC girls field hockey game between New...

Game action from the SWC girls field hockey game between New Fairfield High School and Immaculate High School in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, October 16, 2013.
Photo: H John Voorhees III

Game action from the SWC girls field hockey game between New...

Game action from the SWC girls field hockey game between New Fairfield High School and Immaculate High School in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, October 16, 2013.
Photo: H John Voorhees III

Game action from the SWC girls field hockey game between New...

Game action from the SWC girls field hockey game between New Fairfield High School and Immaculate High School in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, October 16, 2013.
Photo: H John Voorhees III

Game action from the SWC girls field hockey game between New...

Game action from the SWC girls field hockey game between New Fairfield High School and Immaculate High School in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, October 16, 2013.
Photo: H John Voorhees III

Game action from the SWC girls field hockey game between New...

Game action from the SWC girls field hockey game between New Fairfield High School and Immaculate High School in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, October 16, 2013.
Photo: H John Voorhees III

Game action from the SWC girls field hockey game between New...

Game action from the SWC girls field hockey game between New Fairfield High School and Immaculate High School in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, October 16, 2013.
Photo: H John Voorhees III

Game action from the SWC girls field hockey game between New...

Game action from the SWC girls field hockey game between New Fairfield High School and Immaculate High School in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, October 16, 2013.
Photo: H John Voorhees III

Game action from the SWC girls field hockey game between New...

Game action from the SWC girls field hockey game between New Fairfield High School and Immaculate High School in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, October 16, 2013.
Photo: H John Voorhees III

Game action from the SWC girls field hockey game between New...

Game action from the SWC girls field hockey game between New Fairfield High School and Immaculate High School in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, October 16, 2013.
Photo: H John Voorhees III

Game action from the SWC girls field hockey game between New...

Game action from the SWC girls field hockey game between New Fairfield High School and Immaculate High School in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, October 16, 2013.
Photo: H John Voorhees III

Game action from the SWC girls field hockey game between New...

Game action from the SWC girls field hockey game between New Fairfield High School and Immaculate High School in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, October 16, 2013.
Photo: H John Voorhees III

DANBURY -- Every field hockey game is a big one in the South-West Conference this time of year, with the conference playoffs looming large and growing ever tighter.

New Fairfield helped further solidify itself as one of the top seeds in the upcoming playoffs with a 2-0 win over Immaculate in a battle of SWC contenders on Wednesday. New Fairfield (10-3-1) entered the game having lost back-to-back one-goal games to Lauralton Hall and Pomperaug.

"We came in knowing we had to step it up from what we had been doing lately," New Fairfield coach Karen Nell said. "They executed pretty well and they adjusted to what Immaculate gave them."

"We do a lot of triangular passing, which gets the ball to the goal," Murtagh said. "The post is always open. Today, especially, it was. We did a great job."

All three Rebel losses this year have been by one goal -- two to Pomperaug and one to Lauralton Hall. To be playing with the lead rather than scrambling to tie the game was a big boost.

"It takes a little pressure off when you can score the first goal," Nell said.

From there, it was up to the Rebels' defense to protect the two-goal lead, which it did despite a second-half surge by the Mustangs. Immaculate took two corner strokes in succession with about seven minutes remaining. Each set off a frenzy in front of the New Fairfield cage, but neither resulted in an Immaculate goal.

"There was a breakdown in our communication in the first half where we didn't get back," Horosky said. "But the bigger problem for us, and we've seen it all season, is scoring. We've gotten better over the past few games. It's a problem when we have as many corners as we did today (nine) and we don't put the ball into the goal. It's frustrating."

New Fairfield goalie Sam Farrell made five saves, and defenders Drew Heller and Erica Wixted were instrumental in clearing the front of the goal with Mustang attackers swarming. Immaculate goalie Lexi Oskam made seven saves.

This was the Rebels' final SWC game of the regular season -- they have non-conference games against Shepaug and Lauralton Hall remaining -- and they seem to be in good shape to secure one of the top four seeds and a coveted home game in the quarterfinals of the eight-team tournament, which is set to begin on Oct. 25.

Immaculate, meanwhile, has been without the services of a handful of its top players due to injuries. Horosky is optimistic that they will be back by the time the playoffs roll around. In fact, senior captain Nicole Demelo played her first game of the season Wednesday after sitting out with a knee injury, Horosky said. She practiced for the first time Tuesday.

"I wanted to get her on the field because she brings such a steady play to our field," Horosky said.

Immaculate is still in contention for a first-round home game, although the standings are very tight and the seedings for the playoffs won't be determined until everyone has completed their conference schedule. The Mustangs have two games remaining against Bethel and one against Lauralton Hall.

"The SWC is all over the place," Horosky said. "This year has been so crazy. Usually, you know who the top four or five teams are going to be. This year, it's all over the place."